ADA STATEMENT and grIevance process
The University of the South holds community as one of its core values. To ensure an inclusive environment, The University of the South takes claims of discrimination seriously. Instance(s) of discrimination on the basis of disability status can be reported to the ADA Office through the Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation reporting form. Individuals, including students, employees, and participants in the University’s program or activities, have the option to pursue a formal investigation or informal resolution of the complaint under the Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy. Formal investigations are not required for the complainant to receive supportive measures or resources. The reporting options, as well as an outline of the reporting process, can be found on the ADA webpage and below.
Reports should include as much information as possible regarding the alleged conduct, including the location, date, and description of the alleged event or incident.
Reports may be oral or written and should be filed in person, by phone, email or electronically using the contact information provided below.
Inquiries regarding the application of the ADA Grievance Policy may be addressed to:
The University’s ADA Director [Click Here for Staff]
EQB Annex 102-B
(931) 598-1896
Email: ada@sewanee.edu
Reports may be filed electronically using the word link “ReportDiscrimination.sewanee.edu.”
The Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation policy also complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”)/Section 504 mandate to “provide for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action that would be prohibited.” If an individual has been denied an accommodation which was requested and would like to challenge the denial, or believes they have been the recipient of disability discrimination, they may file a complaint under the Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy.
During the complaint process, an individual should continue to fulfill academic and/or employment requirements until a final determination has been provided.
A faculty or staff member who is asked to implement an approved accommodation for an individual but does not agree with Student Accessibility Services (SAS), Human Resources (HR), or the ADA Office’s determination, may also utilize the ADA Grievance Process. A faculty or staff-initiated complaint cannot delay the implementation of an accommodation that the SAS, HR, or the ADA offices believe to be in compliance with ADA – Section 504. A few definitions have been provided below to assist individuals with understanding common language associated with ADA/Section 504 and its implementation at Sewanee, The University of the South.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
The University of the South stands firmly for the principle that its employees, students, and participants of university-sponsored programs and activities have a right to be free from discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy and childbirth, and genetic information. As required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or other protected categories in the educational programs or activities which it operates. This requirement of non-discrimination extends to admission to and employment in those programs or activities. The University is committed to sustaining a community in which the dignity of every individual is respected. Key to this value are efforts to nurture an environment of civility and mutual respect and to foster a culture of reporting concerns so that the University can respond promptly and equitably whenever an incident occurs. All employees, students, and participants of university- sponsored programs and activities have the right to be free from harassment and retaliation.
Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy
Equity and Equal Opportunity - Home Page
OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
As per the U.S. Department of Education, “prior to filing a complaint with OCR against an institution, a potential complainant may want to find out about the institution’s grievance process and use that process to have the complaint resolved. However, a complainant is not required by law to use the institutional grievance process before filing a complaint with OCR. If a complainant uses an institutional grievance process and also chooses to file the complaint with OCR, the complaint must be filed with OCR within 60 days after completion of the institutional grievance process.”
